Weather: Hold on to your hat

The area’s weather is shaping up like this: windy here and even more windy on the coast.

The Cascades have received 2 to 4 feet of snow since Saturday in the strongest storm system of the winter. Temperatures are rising, and strong winds are expected. So the mountains are under an avalanche warning.

The National Weather Service notes that avalanches on Monday hit U.S. Route 2 at Stevens Pass, Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and the road to Paradise on Mount Rainier. The Washington Department of Transporation advises drivers to use traction tires on Stevens, Snoqualmie, Blewett and White passes.

It will likely snow more at the passes on Wednesday, but not enough to warrant a storm advisory, the National Weather Service says.

In Seattle, expect rain and strong winds later in the day. Southerly winds will blow at 14 to 20 mph with gusts of 31 mph. Temperatures ought to be mild with highs in the upper 40s through the rest of the week, according to the forecast.

Don’t expect dryer weather until next week.

The worst of the storm will be on the coast, where a high wind warning has been posted. Expect winds there today of 25 to 40 mph and gusts of 60 mph.

It’s no day to go boating off the coast, where there will be 20- to 23-foot seas, and winds at 35 to 45 knots.